Researchers Explore Algae-Based Feed

Researchers Explore Algae-Based Feed

US - The pigs and poultry in 


Professor Xingen Lei's lab have 


been consuming feed one wouldn't 


expect in Ithaca: marine algae.

The Cornell animal science professor is

 testing the unlikely material as a new

 protein-rich source of feed to

 supplement and replace some of the

 corn and soybean meal mix

 traditionally given to food-producing

 animals.

By doing so, he could transform a

 biofuel byproduct into a valuable

 commodity, potentially thousands of

 acres of cropland, according to New

 York Ag.

"Current animal feed directly competes

 against human food sources and, thus,

 is unsustainable," Professor Lei said.

 "We must develop alternatives to

 soybean and corn for animal

 feeds."

Algae produces 50 times more oil per

 acre than corn, with a much smaller

 carbon footprint; uses nutrients more

 efficiently than land plants, with no

 runoff; and places no demand on high-

quality agricultural land or freshwater

 supplies.There are an estimated 1 billio swine,


 1 billion cattle, 2 billion sheep and goats and 40


 billion poultry worldwide.

 The average pig consumes about 660


 pounds of feed perday  (660x1B)


by the time it goes tomarket, Professor


 Lei said, so replacing

 just 10 per cent of that feed with algae

 would save a whopping 33 million tons.

 found that dried defatted algae derived

 from biofuel production can replace up

 to one-third of soybean meal in diets

 for pigs and chickens. It is an

 attractive source because it is high in

 protein - 20-70 per cent, compared

 with about 10 per cent in corn and 40

 per cent in soy